The Catcher in the Rye characters

Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield is the narrator of the story. He is a 16-year-old boy from a wealthy family. From the first sight, he is just not thankful and stubborn, and nothing is interesting for him. He damns school and his classmates. Holden is expelled several times, and in general, he behaves like a...

Robert Ackley

Robert Ackley

Ackley is a Holden's neighbor who lives next door. He has problems with teeth, and the protagonist always mentions this. Ackley enters the Caulfield's room whenever he wants to and by doing this he disturbs the protagonist. The neighbor doesn't understand hints that Holden gives him...

Stradlater

Stradlater

A minor personage in the story, combining muscularity and stupidity. He is handsome and proud of his athletic build. He is distinguished by the desire for frequent sexual relations because the hero perceives sex as a tool for the formation of own personality. His dating technique resembles coercion...

Phoebe Caulfield

Phoebe Caulfield

A ten-year-old intelligent girl appears to be Holden's sister. She is smart and understands everything sometimes better than his brother. She quickly reveals the Holden's secret that he is expelled again, and she knows that parents will be mad. Phoebe Caulfield is caring and loving to her...

Allie Caulfield

Allie Caulfield

Allie is the youngest son in the Caulfield's family. He died at the age of 11 because of leukemia. This character is described by Holden as the most intelligent and the nicest boy ever. Allie was red-haired, and he wrote poetry on his glove using a green color. These features make him special...

D.B Caulfield

D.B. Caulfield is the eldest son in the family. He has a talent of a writer but has decided to sell his work for Hollywood movies. Holden criticizes D.B. for being a sell-out. However, Holden does respect his brother calling him the best writer. Also, D.B. was taken to the Army and stayed there...

Sally Hayes

Sally has been a Holden's girlfriend for quite an extended period of time. She is cute, beautiful, attractive and sexy. Holden doesn't treat her with respect if comparing with the emotions he has to Jane. He is likely to have sexual interest instead of serious feelings to Sally Hayes. She...

Jane Gallagher

She is Holden's chief fondness. The hero selflessly loves her and keeps her loyalty, even during their separation. The irrepressible romantics are constantly holding hands and having heart-to-heart talks on the bench. Holden cannot decide on sexual intimacy with her because of adherence to...